NATIONAL SEMINAR FOR PARENTS

by Susan Ford, President
Parents of Blind Children Division
of the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind has a
division for parents of blind children which
was organized last summer in Kansas City in
conjunction with a national seminar for parents
of blind children. This summer, in Phoenix, we
expect to have another seminar as well. We
invite one and all to participate. Though the
agenda is not definite as yet, we expect to feature these items: education of blind childna in the South West, teaching mobility to young children, small group sessions of special interest
to parents of pre-schoolers, elementary
school youngsters, and teen-agers; and the
experiences, memories and success stories of
blind men and women from all over the country.
The seminar will be held Sunday, July 1,
during the National Federation of the Blind
Annual Convention at the Hyatt Regency Hotel
in Phoenix, Arizona. (See, "Phoenix in '84"
page 1.)

As a result of the new division, we have seen a
real expression of concern for the needs of
parents all over the country. Since our organization
last summer there have been NFB state
sponsored seminars for parents and educators
of blind children in the following states: California,
Connecticut, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts,
Utah, Michigan, Minnesota and
New Mexico. That is not all, for between now
and convention time in July we expect to have
seminars in Nebraska and Colorado. And then
some states are planning to sponsor seminars
in the late summer or fall, such as Missouri,
Washington, and Louisiana again! At least in
California there has been a state Division for
Parents and Educators organized as a part of
the NFB affiliate. What demonstrative proof
that the Division is flourishing and needed!

The past year has been an exciting time throughout
the Federation, but there has been special
pleasure for those of us who have helped to
build the ground-work for this new Division.
We have found many parents throughout the country who are rich with knowledge and
experience to share and then there are many
other parents all other the country who need
our support and experience. Getting these two
groups of parents together is the wish and goal
of the Division for Parents of Blind children of
the National Federation of the Blind. Because
it has been so successful, it is obviously also the wish of countless parents throughout the
country.

Membership in the Division also enrolls you as
a member-at-large in the NFB, and costs $1.00.
We invite you to join us as a member and also to
join us in Phoenix in July for our National
Seminar and annual convention of the National
Federation of the Blind.